Education in Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is one of the most highly performing education authorities in England. Schools consistently achieve standards well above national averages. The county is committed to providing high-quality education and support for all children in every school and setting, from early years through to further education.
Not only is Hertfordshire a fantastic place to teach, it is a desirable location to have a family and educate your own children. With a mixture of maintained schools, academies, free schools and independent schools and settings, ranging from rural to urban locations, there is a wealth of choice for finding the perfect job and developing your career.
HFL Education
HFL Education is a leading national provider of school improvement and business support services, training, and resources, which enable schools, educational settings and multi-academy trusts to deliver a great education. We support those we work with to achieve successful long-term outcomes for their children.
We believe that every young person, through access to a great education, should be able to realise their potential, regardless of where they live, their background or circumstances.
HFL is a financially sustainable, not for profit business, dedicated to raising standards in teaching and reinvesting in children and young people.
HFL provides flexible, high-quality teaching, learning, leadership and business support to schools and education settings in Hertfordshire and beyond. The company helps outstanding schools remain outstanding and good settings to become great. It has a strong track record of supporting schools in making rapid required improvements in the journey to good or better.
In September 2019 Ofsted launched the new Education Inspection Framework. Under the new framework the judgement for ‘personal development, behaviour and welfare’ no longer exists. Instead there are now two separate judgements for ‘behaviour and attitudes’ and ‘personal development’. Although there have been relatively few inspections under the new framework, the data for Hertfordshire schools to date looks very promising:
Through HFL Education, Hertfordshire provides a comprehensive and full range of continuing professional development for Early Career Teachers (ECTs) through to Headteachers. Hertfordshire offers fantastic career development opportunities for ambitious, talented individuals, in a beautiful and varied county bordering London.
Stonewall CYPS Gold Award
Since 2013, HCC and HFL have maintained their joint status as a Stonewall Children’s and Young People’s Champion. It has evolved over the years, but we now, every other year, submit a joint application for accreditation of our LGBT+ work. The criteria are very wide ranging, including a strong focus on training of HCC/HFL staff, school staff, senior leaders, governors/trustees, council members and foster carers.
Other indicators cover support for LGBT youth, celebration of LGBT events and achievements and evidencing case studies from all categories of schools. HFL's Karin Hutchinson pulls together the joint application for the HCC/HFL partnership and is delighted to announce that – as ever – Hertfordshire has maintained their gold standard award.
There is no standing still with this award and our new work this year has included an HFL Wellbeing Team teaching resource on Hate Crime and Prejudice Related Incidents and significant support for schools on delivering LGBT+ inclusive RSHE.
For more information visit, www.hfleducation.org